Supporting children's creativity, joy and love of Earth for over 30 years!

FAD PAD 2019 Summer Camps Schedule below.

"Here we go to the best camp of the summer!!"
"Last night she said- I cannot wait to go to Fairy Camp!"
"He got up earlier than usual and said can we go to camp now?"
"He asked us- this camp is all summer, isn't it? I hope!!"
"Our daughter has had an amazing week (best camp of the summer, she says!).
Thank you so much for all the fun, creativity and love. We are so lucky to know you!"

The FAD PAD is my home studio created for Fun, Art and Drama! A designated place for your child to enjoy a wide variety of playshops/classes and camps. From cooking, gardening, drama, fairy lore, cooperative games, hand sewing, embroidery, Harry Potter to science!

The FAD PAD is located in my big back yard where there are many magical areas to explore. From climbing Bob, the loquat tree, to vegetable and herb gardens to the enchanted and forbidden forests to the hammock.

The playshops/classes and camps are for K-6th graders. In order to foster fun and give attention to all children, I take 8 children only. Reservations are required. All art, gardening, and cooking supplies are included in the fees.

"When I asked my girls what their favorite part of their summer was they said "going to Mary Ellen's camps!" They cannot wait to come back." Mom of a 6 & 8 year old

"Thanks you and the "great work" you do with children in your magic forest and garden. What a boundless gift you offer these girls and boys! It seems to me you're changing their lives in
important ways." College Professor

"You are the only place my girls can explore Harry Potter books! This is so important to them that they can act out their favorite books!" Mom of an 8 & 13 year old

"I fell so relaxed knowing my child is with you. She always tells us about the great activities she does and the fun kids she plays with each day. Thank you!" Mom of 7 year old

Session 1: June 17 - 21 + StarwitZ : Harry Potter Camp
Session 2: June 24 - 28 + StarwitZ : Harry Potter Camp
Session 3: July 1, 2, 3, + StarwitZ : Harry Potter Camp *$320 for 3 day camp* 9am to 4pm This summer we will focus on "Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. We will delve into the magical and imaginary realm of witches and wizards through art, play and drama. Some topics include: wands & spell work; the Sorting Hat; Marauder's Map; participating in the Quidditch World Cup and the Triwizard Tournament; attending Defense Against the Dark Arts, Divination and Care of Magical Creatures classes. Headmistress ME has been a fan of Harry Potter books since the books came out in 1997!

Session 4: July 8-12: + Adoptees Connecting Camp (ACC) (6-14 ages)This session is for adopted children who want to share and explore their adoption in a supportive and playful way with other adoptees. All campers will have many opportunities to celebrate their particular life journey as an adopted person through various art forms: writing, drawing, cooking, yoga, storytelling, mindfulness and drama. Mary Ellen was adopted as an infant and has been exploring adoption in various creative ways for many years.

Session 5: July 22-26 + BOTBOT Camp (a bit of this & a bit of that) Come and enjoy some FAD PAD favorites: cooking, gardening, sewing, and various art projects plus general goofing around! Mary Ellen has so many activities she likes to do with campers- she can't choose just one!

Session 6: July 29-August 2 + Fairy CampCalling all fairy fans! Flower and tree fairies await your arrival! Campers will make fairy houses using clay, paper, nuts, wood and fabric. We will also spend time playing, singing and dancing in a wide array of fairy costumes. On Friday we will baking and making treats for our fairy tea party! Since she was a little girl in Indiana, Mary Ellen enjoyed play acting with her neighbor friends and looks forward to meeting more fairies in her garden!

Session 7: August 5-9 + Gardening and Cooking Camp *All Food organic*Come explore Mary Ellen's big, beautiful, magical backyard! Campers will learn about and harvest organic fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers and use them for yummy cooking projects. Basic gardening and cooking skills will be taught, and perhaps the garden fairies will show up to teach a few things! Mary Ellen has enjoyed creating recipes and trying them out since she was a youngster and loves to grow her own food.

PLEASE NOTE-NEW SCHOLARSHIP POLiCY:
THERE WILL BE ONE PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR EACH SESSION THIS YEAR.
THERE IS ONLY ONE FULL SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE FOR THE SUMMER.
A FAMILY CAN HAVE ONLY ONE SCHOLARSHIP.

This is how you sign up for FAD PAD SUMMER CAMPS 2019

Please fill out the Registration Formor I can email it to you.
If you have already been to a FAD PAD playshop or camp and your contact information has not changed, you do not need to fill out the FAD PAD Registration Form.

The FAD PAD Release form will be emailed to you once you fill out the Registration Form out and return it to me.

*There are 4 ways to send this fee.*

1. Make a check out to and mail it to: Mary Ellen Hill, 7548 Circle Hill Drive, Oakland, CA 94605.

2. Use your own Pay Pal account and pay under the family and friends button to mehstories@netzero.com.

3. Use VENMO on your phone to Mary Ellen Hill, 510-219-3474.

4. Use Paypal on my site. Slightly higher rate

FAD PAD 2019

Once you have sent in the registration, release form and payment, I will confirm your spot.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
January 7-March 4: Receive half tuition refund and all before and after care fees.
March 5- May 6: Receive a quarter of tuition refund and all before and after care fees.
After May 7: No refunds.

BEFORE & AFTER CARE INFORMATION: M-F Before-care is available from 8:30-9:00. After-care is available from 3-5:30. $8 per half-hour. Please let me know what you need. You can add this into your tuition fee or wait until the first day of camp your child attends. If you do not use your after-care hours, the fees are not refundable or transferable